It may seem like a very odd time for a new airline, but Hong Kong may soon welcome a new competitor called Greater Bay Airlines. Here is what we know about the new airline in the from of FAQs.
Greater Bay Airlines FAQs
Who Is Behind Greater Bay Airlines?
Greater Bay Airlines is the brainchild of Bill Wong Cho-bau, a rich Mainland Chinese investor. He already owns Shenzhen-based Donghai Airlines. Per the South China Morning Post, two former senior executives from the Cathay Group are also onboard the project.
When Will Greater Bay Airlines Begin Operations?
The airline has filed the requisite paperwork for an air operator’s certificate (AOC), which is currently being processed. But additional red tape involved in launching a new airline may delay the launch of service as long as two years. That’s unlikely to be a problem considering air travel demand is not expected to fully return until 2024.
What Kind Of Airline Will Greater Bay Airlines Be? How About Fleet?
Greater Bay Airlines plans to operate as a budget carrier with a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. Donghai Airlines also uses only 737 aircraft with 23 in the fleet plus and order for 25 737 MAX aircraft on the books. That fleet would likely be used to get Greater Bay Airlines off the ground.
Where Will Greater Bay Airlines Fly?
No longahul operations are planned. Instead, Greater Bay Airlines will be a regional airline focusing on Mainland China, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia. No specific routes have been announced yet.
CONCLUSION
It seems that Greater Bay Airlines will target HK Express, Cathay Pacific’s low-cost subsidiary, rather than full-service Cathay Pacific itself (or Cathay Dragon or Hong Kong Airlines). But all of this remains to be seen. Yet it is not too early to take the new airline seriously. There’s a serious investor behind it with experience running an airline and the initial paperwork has already been filed. Check back, as these Greater Bay Airlines FAQs will be updated.
image: HKIA
I hope that, post-COVID, that HKG can resume operations as one of the best hubs in Asia. But political considerations have me concerned. Perhaps the interest of this investor is a good sign.
And a nit: You are illustrating this post with a very old photograph of the airport. It does not include the midfield terminal, which has been operating for more than 5 years.
Hi David, you are right, but I am limited to using royalty-free photos to avoid copyright concerns.
I share in your greater concern that Hong Kong will once again flourish as an airline hub and nation.